The Importance of Standing Up to Bullies

Last week we published a story about the Teamsters, a union distinguished almost solely by its inclination to bully and intimidate anyone who dares to stand in its way. While we assumed most of its member base would be mortified to find out about the tactics being marshaled on their behalf, some members beat us to the punch.

In an email sent to our informational account, one public worker recounted her experiences with the Teamsters.

– “At some time during my 20-year career the city went to a closed shop. All employees had to join the union. I do not feel that the Teamsters have ever served me. When I found that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Janus I looked forward to getting out of a union that has never served me well.”

– “To be honest I’m afraid of retaliation. I know others have [tried to opt out] and we are being told that we CANNOT get out until some specific time at the end of the 5-year contract that started July 1, 18.”

– “Our union steward is a bully and uses his size and mouth to intimidate people.”

After a lengthy process of push-back, misinformation and a little help from the Freedom Foundation, this public employee was finally able to take back her voice. While she was ecstatic that she was able to leave, she did look back at all the others who are still too afraid to take the same brave steps. She wrote:

– “I know that there are others that do want out, but there is a lot of fear. People are very afraid of unions and that is how the Teamsters rule the city. Unfortunate but true nonetheless.”

The Freedom Foundation will always be a bulwark for public employees who want to leave their union but have either been intimidated into staying or lied to about the benefits of leaving. The only way to beat a bully is to stand up to him and say that you are not afraid.

Big unions like the Teamster are bullies, and the Freedom Foundation loves standing up against them.

“I am a junior high teacher in California. I want to thank you for your website and the information I gleaned from it. I have decided to leave the teacher’s union due to ideological differences, and have discovered The Association of American Educators. I am very grateful. Keep up the good work!

— Jamie

“Keep up the great work. I received both the email and mailer to opt-out of the union; however had already done so. Your work is the first I had seen noting the option to opt-out. Of course the unions nor the State made any effort to notify employees of the option.”